Sunderland meet Bournemouth in a huge Premier League clash in the race for European qualification.
Locked on 19 points apiece in seventh and eighth positions respectively, victory would lift Sunderland or Bournemouth up to fourth in the table.
Team News
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns to report after a 1-0 loss at Fulham.
Habib Diarra (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Leo Hjelde (Achilles), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Dennis Cirkin (wrist) are still sidelined.
Bournemouth could welcome Antoine Semenyo back after he missed their 2-2 draw at home to West Ham, due to a fever.
Ben Doak (hamstring), Justin Kluivert (adductor) and Matai Akinmboni (muscle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 29 November at 3pm GMT, albeit untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland have won just one of four previous Premier League meetings against Bournemouth (W1, D1, L2).
- Bournemouth are yet to lose a Premier League game away to Sunderland (W1, D1), having drawn 1-1 in January 2016 then won 1-0 in April 2017.
- Sunderland are yet to keep a clean sheet against Bournemouth in the top flight.
- Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats have come from behind to avoid defeat in three of their six league games at home this season (W3, D3).
- Antoine Semenyo has been involved in more league goals than any other Bournemouth player this season (9), having created six goals and three assists in 11 appearances.
Prediction
After their toothless display at Fulham where they lacked quality and creativity, Sunderland now must reset and bring more fighting intensity if want to extend their excellent home record but they must defensively be aware of Bournemouth’s quick and direct attacking play.
Bournemouth however are in a rut with no wins this month and were lucky to draw at home to West Ham after poor first-half marking gave the Hammers a 2-0 lead, amidst wasteful finishing whilst they were lucky to get a penalty which sparked some composure into them in the second half.
If Sunderland can rediscover their flair and creativity and Bournemouth aren’t as sloppy as they were against West Ham, I genuinely think that this could be a cracking game of entertainment and a draw might be a fair result.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Bournemouth
Result: Sunderland 3-2 Bournemouth